Package with lock mechanism

The present application is based on Japanese patent application Nos.2003-12678 and 2003-357971, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an optical communication package such as optical transmitter and receiver modules and, particularly, to an optical communication package with lock mechanism detachable to a cage.

2. Description of the Related Art

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view showing a conventional optical communication package <b>40</b> in state of being attached to a communication device <b>41</b> (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,918 B1). The package <b>40</b> is disposed between an optical fiber (not shown) and the communication device <b>41</b> to send optical signal received form the optical fiber to the communication device <b>41</b> while converting it into electrical signal, or to send electrical signal received from the communication device <b>41</b> to the optical fiber while converting it into optical signal. The package <b>40</b> has a socket <b>5</b> to allow the optical fiber to be detachably connected thereto and is detachable to the communication device <b>41</b> in order to address a case that internal optical and electrical elements has a problem or a case that its communication specifications (optical wavelength, modulation method etc.) are required to conform to those of the other party.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view showing the conventional optical communication package <b>40</b> in state of being locked in a cage <b>2</b>. The package <b>40</b> is detachably inserted into the cage <b>2</b> mounted on a board <b>42</b> in the communication device <b>41</b> and is releasably locked by the cage <b>2</b>. The cage <b>2</b> is shaped like a long box extended backward and forward and has an opening at one end (front end), such that the package <b>40</b> can be inserted or extracted through the front end. The cage <b>2</b> has nails <b>6</b> on both sides so as to engage with the internally-inserted package <b>40</b> to restrict the movement of package <b>40</b> in the extraction direction. The nails <b>6</b> are formed like a leaf spring that protrudes inside the cage <b>2</b> at the sides and extends backward.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view showing the conventional optical communication package <b>40</b> in state of being extracted from the cage <b>2</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an enlarged perspective view showing part of the package <b>40</b> in FIG. <b>3</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an enlarged partially sectioned perspective view showing a locking portion <b>43</b> of the package <b>40</b> in state of being locked by a nail <b>6</b> of the cage <b>2</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an enlarged partially sectioned perspective view showing the locking portion <b>43</b> in state of being unlocked from the nail <b>6</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3</figref> to <b>5</b>, the package <b>40</b> is provided with the locking portion <b>43</b> to be engaged with the nail <b>6</b> of cage <b>2</b> and a release mechanism <b>44</b> to release the engagement of locking portion <b>43</b> and nail <b>6</b>. The locking portion <b>43</b> corresponds to the back end face of a recess <b>7</b> provided on both sides of package body <b>45</b>, and contacts the free end (back end) of nail <b>6</b> being entered into the recess <b>7</b>. The release mechanism <b>44</b> is composed of a slide member <b>46</b> that is backward and forward slidably attached to the package body <b>45</b> and has a taper <b>12</b> to push out the nail <b>6</b> from the inside of recess <b>7</b>. The slide member <b>46</b> includes a handle <b>47</b> that is located on the front side of package body <b>45</b> and extends rightward and leftward. By pulling the handle, the taper <b>12</b> is slid into the recess <b>7</b>. Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref>, with the taper <b>12</b> being slid into the recess <b>7</b>, the nail <b>6</b> is put out of the recess <b>7</b>.

The communication device <b>41</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, has a plurality of openings <b>48</b> to each of which package <b>40</b> is attached, so that multiple optical fibers can be connected thereto in clumps. Thus, the openings <b>48</b> are disposed close to each other on multiple stages formed upward and downward to house packages <b>40</b> in clumps.

Since the openings <b>48</b> of communication device <b>41</b> are disposed close to each other and the handles <b>47</b> are closely on the front face so as not to interfere with the connection of optical fiber in the package <b>40</b> being locked in the cage <b>2</b>, the handle <b>47</b> is difficult to hold. Further, the release of locking is difficult since the pulling of handle <b>47</b> meets resistance from the nail <b>6</b>.

Further, since the package <b>40</b> is drawn out due to friction when the handle <b>47</b> is pulled, malfunction may occur in the case that the nails <b>6</b> on both sides cannot be simultaneously pushed out from the recesses <b>7</b>. Thus, in some cases, the handle <b>47</b> cannot be taken out easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a package with lock mechanism that can be easily taken out from a cage while ensuring the release of locking.

According to first aspect of the invention, a package with lock mechanism comprises:

a package body to be slidably inserted into a cage and to be releasably locked by the cage;

a slide member that is slidably attached to the package body, the slide member allowing the package body to be released from the locking by the cage when the slide member is slid to a predetermined position; and

an operation lever that is rotatably attached to the package body;

wherein the operation lever allows the slide member to slide to the predetermined position while engaging to the slide member.

According to second aspect of the invention, a package with lock mechanism comprises:

a package body to be releasably locked by a cage;

a release mechanism that includes an operation lever rotatably attached to the package body, the release mechanism allowing the locking of the package body and the cage; and

a restriction member to control the operation lever to stop its rotation at a predetermined position;

wherein the restriction member allows the rotation of the operation lever when the restriction member receives a force exceeding a predetermined value.

According to third aspect of the invention, a package with lock mechanism comprises:

a package body to be releasably locked by a cage; and

a release mechanism that is attached to the package body, the release mechanism enabling the release of locking of the package body and the cage;

wherein the release mechanism provides, between an operation member to be operated in the release of locking and a follower member to be driven by the operation member, an allowance to allow the initial movement of the operation member to be independent of the follower member.

According to fourth aspect of the invention, a package with lock mechanism comprises:

a package body to be slidably inserted into a cage and to be releasably locked by the cage; and

a release mechanism that is attached to the package body, the release mechanism enabling the release of locking of the package body and the cage;

wherein the release mechanism includes a handle to operate the release mechanism and a handle extension attached to the handle to extend the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments according to the invention will be explained below referring to the drawings, wherein:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view showing the conventional optical communication package <b>40</b> in state of being attached to the communication device <b>41</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view showing the conventional optical communication package <b>40</b> in state of being locked in the cage <b>2</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view showing the conventional optical communication package <b>40</b> in state of being extracted from the cage <b>2</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an enlarged perspective view showing part of the package <b>40</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an enlarged partially sectioned perspective view showing the locking portion <b>43</b> of the package <b>40</b> in state of being locked by the nail <b>6</b> of the cage <b>2</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an enlarged partially sectioned perspective view showing the locking portion <b>43</b> in state of being unlocked from the nail <b>6</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a perspective view showing a package <b>1</b> with lock mechanism of the first preferred embodiment of the invention in state of being locked in a cage <b>2</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>1</b> while seeing through the cage <b>2</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>1</b> with a handle extension <b>11</b> being rotated upward;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>1</b> with an operation lever <b>9</b> being rotated forward;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>1</b> with the operation lever <b>9</b> being further rotated forward;

PIG. <b>12</b> is a perspective view showing the package <b>1</b> while seeing through the cage <b>2</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>1</b> in state of being extracted from the cage <b>2</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a partial enlarged view showing a release mechanism <b>4</b> and its vicinity in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a partial enlarged view showing the operation lever <b>9</b> in state of being rotated exceeding the restriction of a restriction member <b>17</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16A</figref> is a side view showing the package <b>1</b> in state of being locked;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16B</figref> is a side view showing the package <b>1</b> with the handle extension <b>11</b> being rotated in state of being locked;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16C</figref> is a side view showing the package <b>1</b> with the operation lever <b>9</b> being rotated in state of being locked;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16D</figref> is a side view showing the package <b>1</b> with the operation lever <b>9</b> being further rotated in state of being released from the locking;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16E</figref> is a side view showing the package <b>1</b> with the operation lever <b>9</b> being rotated exceeding the restriction of the restriction member <b>17</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a partial enlarged view showing the package <b>1</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a partial perspective view showing a package <b>50</b> with lock mechanism in a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a partial cross sectional view showing the package <b>50</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a partial perspective view showing the package <b>50</b> with an operation lever <b>51</b> being disengaged;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a perspective view showing a package <b>60</b> with lock mechanism in a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> is a side view showing the package <b>60</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> is a partial cross sectional view showing the package <b>60</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>60</b> with an operation lever <b>61</b> being disengaged;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25</figref> is a side view showing the package <b>60</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref> is a partial enlarged view showing the package <b>60</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>60</b> in the third embodiment with another retention mechanism <b>83</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> is a side view showing the retention mechanism <b>83</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref> is a side view showing the retention mechanism <b>83</b> with a push button <b>82</b> being pushed backward;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref> is a perspective view showing a package <b>20</b> with lock mechanism in a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>20</b> with a handle extension <b>33</b> being rotated;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>20</b> in state of being released from the locking by pulling the handle extension <b>33</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> is a perspective view showing the package <b>20</b> in state of being extracted from a cage <b>21</b> by pulling the handle extension <b>33</b>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 34</figref> is a partially broken perspective view showing the package <b>20</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> while viewing it from its bottom side;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref> is a partially cross-sectioned side view showing the package <b>30</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref>; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref> is an enlarged perspective view showing the package <b>20</b> in FIG. <b>32</b>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref>, the package <b>1</b> with lock mechanism is composed of: a package body <b>3</b> that is detachably inserted into the cage <b>2</b> and releasably locked in the cage <b>2</b>; and a release mechanism <b>4</b> to release the locking of cage <b>2</b> and package body <b>3</b>.

The package body <b>3</b> is shaped like a long rectangular solid (box) extended backward and forward in the insertion/extraction direction and has a socket <b>5</b> at one end (front end) in the extraction direction to detachably receive an optical fiber connector (not shown) The package body <b>3</b> has recesses <b>7</b> formed on its both sides to receive and engage the nail <b>6</b> of cage <b>2</b>.

The release mechanism <b>4</b> is composed of: a slide member <b>8</b> that is slidably attached to the package body <b>3</b> to release the locking of cage <b>2</b> and package body <b>3</b> by sliding it to a predetermined position; an operation lever <b>9</b> that is rotatably attached to the package body <b>3</b> to slide the slide member <b>8</b> to a predetermined position while engaging the slide member <b>8</b>; and a handle extension <b>11</b> that is attached to a handle <b>10</b> of the operation lever <b>9</b> to extend the handle <b>10</b>.

The slide member <b>8</b> is of strip-shaped plate member extending backward and forward, and it is attached slidably in the insertion/extraction direction to the both sides of package body <b>3</b> to cross the recess <b>7</b>. The slide member <b>8</b> has a taper <b>12</b> on its back end to push out the nail <b>6</b> being engaged in the recess <b>7</b>. With the taper <b>12</b> being slid inside the recess <b>7</b> from the backward of recess <b>7</b>, the nail <b>6</b> is put out of the recess <b>7</b> in the device width direction. Also, the slide member <b>8</b> has contact portions <b>13</b>, <b>14</b> to receive the rotation force of operation lever <b>9</b> while being engaged with the operation lever <b>9</b> and thus serves as a driven part to be driven by the operation lever <b>9</b> (operation unit).

The operation lever <b>9</b> is composed of: a pair of arms <b>15</b> that are, rotatably around a shaft, attached on the front-end both sides of package body <b>3</b>; the handle <b>10</b> that is bridged between the arms <b>15</b>; and a pair of drive nails <b>16</b> that extend in the radial direction from the rotation center to push the contact portions <b>13</b>, <b>14</b> of slide member <b>8</b>.

The arm <b>15</b> is disposed outside in the device width direction from the slide member <b>8</b> so as not to interfere with the slide member <b>8</b>. Also, the arm <b>15</b> has such a predetermined length that the handle <b>10</b> is located on the package body <b>3</b> in state of being raised up and is extended in front of the package body <b>3</b> when the rotation front end is moved forward.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 14</figref>, the drive nail <b>16</b> is bent inside in the device width direction such that the rotation front end interferes with the contact portions <b>13</b>, <b>14</b> of slide member <b>8</b>. The contact portion is composed of the first contact portion <b>13</b> that contacts the drive nail <b>16</b> when rotating the operation lever <b>9</b> forward and the second contact portion <b>14</b> that contacts the drive nail <b>16</b> when rotating the operation lever <b>9</b> backward. In detail, the first contact portion <b>13</b> and second contact portion <b>14</b> are disposed opposite to each other while sandwiching backward and forward the rotation front end of drive nail <b>16</b> and are formed as a side extending in the vertical direction. The first contact portion <b>13</b> and second contact portion <b>14</b> are disposed forward and backward distant from each other such that one contacts the drive nail <b>16</b> when the other is distant from the drive nail <b>16</b>. An allowance (space) is provided between the operation lever <b>9</b> and slide member <b>8</b> such that the operation lever <b>9</b> turns over independently of the slide member <b>8</b> in its initial movement.

The operation lever <b>9</b> is configured such that it turns to the extraction direction when the slide member <b>8</b> is slid to a position that allows the nail <b>6</b> of cage <b>2</b> to be put out of the recess <b>7</b>.

Meanwhile, due to employing the release mechanism <b>4</b> of lever operation type, the release mechanism <b>4</b> including operation lever <b>9</b> may be broken or difficult to release from the cage <b>2</b> when the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated exceeding its range of movement. In preparation for this as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14 and 15</figref>, a restriction member <b>17</b> that controls the rotation of operation lever <b>9</b> to stop at a predetermined position and allows the rotation of operation lever <b>9</b> when excessive force is input from the operation lever <b>9</b> is attached to the package body <b>3</b>.

The restriction member <b>17</b> of this embodiment is a projection, as stopper, provided on the slide path of slide member <b>8</b> and is, in normal position, located in front of the slide member <b>8</b>. The restriction member <b>17</b> is shaped such that it indirectly restricts the rotation of operation lever <b>9</b> by restricting the forward slide of slide member <b>8</b> and that it allows the slide member <b>8</b> to climb over the projection while bending when the slide member <b>8</b> is slid forward by excessive force due to rapid lever operation etc.

The release mechanism <b>4</b> is configured such that the operation lever <b>9</b> is separated from the slide member <b>8</b> when the restriction member <b>17</b> allows the rotation of operation lever <b>9</b> (i.e., when the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated beyond the restriction range of restriction member <b>17</b>). In detail, the positional relationship between the first contact portion <b>13</b> and drive nail <b>16</b> is determined such that the drive nail <b>16</b> turns over departing from the first contact portion <b>13</b> when the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated to a predetermined position (a position where the slide member <b>8</b> climbs over the restriction member <b>17</b>).

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 9</figref>, the handle extension <b>11</b> is of a wire-like metallic member with less weight and thinner diameter than arm <b>15</b> and is rotatably attached to the handle <b>10</b>. The handle extension <b>11</b> has a shape of rectangular frame such that it lies along the front-end circumference of package body <b>3</b> while being folded in the front of operation lever <b>9</b> and extending downward from the handle <b>10</b> when the operation lever <b>9</b> is raised up along the front-end of package body <b>3</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>, a spring <b>18</b> is provided between the handle <b>10</b> and handle extension <b>11</b> such that it energizes the handle extension <b>11</b> to be folded. It keeps folding the handle extension <b>11</b> when the operation lever <b>9</b> is operated by directly holding the handle <b>10</b> or when the operation lever <b>9</b> is not operated. For example, the spring <b>18</b> is of a coil spring wounded around the handle extension <b>11</b>, and its one end is attached to the handle <b>10</b> and the other end is attached to the handle extension <b>11</b>. The spring <b>18</b> has such a minimum springy force that is required to fold the handle extension <b>11</b>.

The functions of package <b>1</b> in this embodiment will be described below.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 16A</figref>, easier one of the handle <b>10</b> and handle extension <b>11</b> to hold with finger is pulled forward when extracting the package <b>1</b> being locked by the cage <b>2</b> from the cage <b>2</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 16B</figref>, in pulling the handle extension <b>11</b>, the handle extension <b>11</b> is rotated forward around the handle <b>10</b> of operation lever <b>9</b> until being nearly horizontally extended. Since the rotation resistance of handle extension <b>11</b> is only the weak spring <b>18</b> and the handle extension <b>11</b> has a sufficiently reduced weight, the handle extension <b>11</b> is easy to draw.

After the handle extension <b>11</b> is extended forward, nothing interferes with the operation of handle extension <b>11</b>. Then, the handle extension <b>11</b> is held further securely with finger.

Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 16C</figref>, when the handle extension <b>11</b> is further pulled, the handle <b>10</b> connecting with the handle extension <b>11</b> is drawn forward and the operation lever <b>9</b> is thereby rotated forward. When the operation lever <b>9</b> thus starts rotating from the raised-up position, the drive nail <b>16</b> is sufficiently distant from the first contact portion <b>13</b>. Therefore, the drive nail <b>16</b> does not push the first contact portion <b>13</b> until the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated by a predetermined angle, and the operation lever <b>9</b> turns over during that time.

Then, when the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated to some degree, the handle extension <b>11</b> is pulled downward while reducing the pull force gradually. As the drive nail <b>16</b> starts pushing the first contact portion <b>13</b>, the slide member <b>8</b> starts sliding forward. However, since the operation lever <b>9</b> serves to restrict the forward movement of package body <b>3</b> due to the pressing-down operation of handle extension <b>11</b>, the package body <b>3</b> is not extracted from the cage <b>2</b> together with the slide member <b>8</b>. Therefore, malfunction such as catching in cage <b>2</b> does not occur even when the release of locking, described later, is not performed simultaneously on both sides.

Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, while the slide member <b>8</b> is slid forward, the taper <b>12</b> is entered into the recess <b>7</b> and the end of nail <b>6</b> engaging the recess <b>7</b> is pushed out in the device width direction. After the nail <b>6</b> is completely put out of the recess <b>7</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 16D</figref>, the slide member <b>8</b> contacts the restriction member <b>17</b> and the slide thereof is restricted.

Thereby, the downward movement of handle extension <b>11</b> is also restricted. Then, stopping the pressing-down operation, the handle extension <b>11</b> is pulled forward. Since the locking of cage <b>2</b> and package body <b>3</b> is released when the nail <b>6</b> is completely put out of the recess <b>7</b>, the package <b>1</b> can be easily taken out from the cage <b>2</b> as shown in FIG. <b>13</b>.

On the other hand, in case of pulling directly the handle <b>10</b> of operation lever <b>9</b>, the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated forward but, as described earlier, turns over without applying force to the slide member <b>8</b> in its initial movement. Therefore, the operation lever <b>9</b> can be easily pulled out while rotating even when the operation lever <b>9</b> is held weakly with finger. Since the handle extension <b>11</b> is kept folded, it does not interfere with that operation.

After the operation lever <b>9</b> is pulled out, the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated until the rotation is restricted by the restriction member <b>17</b> as in the case of operating the handle extension <b>11</b>. Then, by pulling the operation lever <b>9</b>, the package body <b>3</b> can be easily and surely taken out from the cage <b>2</b>.

Even if the operation lever <b>9</b> is rotated being applied with excessive force due to operation error etc., the force is removed because the slide member <b>8</b> climbs over the restriction member <b>17</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15 and 16E</figref>. Thus, the operation lever <b>9</b> and slide member <b>8</b> does not damage. Further, when the slide member <b>8</b> climbs over the restriction member <b>17</b>, the drive nail <b>16</b> disengages from the first contact portion <b>13</b> and the operation lever <b>9</b> is thereby separated from the slide member <b>8</b>. This can surely prevent the damage of operation lever <b>9</b> and slide member <b>8</b>. Therefore, a difficulty in extracting the package <b>1</b> from the cage <b>2</b> due to such damage does not occur.

As described above, since the package body <b>3</b> is equipped with the rotatable operation lever <b>9</b> that engages the slide member <b>8</b> to slide the slide member <b>8</b> until a predetermined position, the locking release operation (fold-down operation of operation lever <b>9</b>) can be completely separated from the package body <b>3</b> extraction operation (pull-out operation of operation lever <b>9</b>). Thus, the package <b>1</b> can be taken out from the cage <b>2</b> while preventing malfunction in the release of locking.

The operation lever <b>9</b> turns to the package body <b>3</b> extraction direction when it is rotated until the slide member <b>8</b> reaches a predetermined position. Therefore, the package <b>1</b> can be extracted from the cage <b>2</b> by directly pulling the operation lever <b>9</b> in state of being rotated to release the locking.

Since the restriction member <b>17</b> allows the rotation of operation lever <b>9</b> even when receiving an excessive force from the operation lever <b>9</b>, it can prevent the damage of release mechanism <b>4</b> by removing an excessive force that may be applied to the operation lever <b>9</b> Thus, a difficulty in extracting the package <b>1</b> from the cage <b>2</b> due to such damage of the release mechanism <b>4</b> can be prevented.

Further, since the operation lever <b>9</b> can be separated from the release mechanism <b>4</b> when the restriction member <b>17</b> allows the rotation of operation lever <b>9</b>, it can prevent the damage of the other components composing the release mechanism <b>4</b> by removing an excessive force that may be applied to the operation lever <b>9</b>.

The release mechanism <b>4</b> has the allowance (space) provided between the operation lever <b>9</b> and slide member <b>8</b> such that the operation lever <b>9</b> turns over independently of the slide member <b>8</b> in its initial movement. Therefore, the operation lever <b>9</b> can be easily pulled out while rotating even when the operation lever <b>9</b> is held weakly with finger.

Further, since the handle extension <b>11</b> is provided extending the handle <b>10</b> to operate the release mechanism <b>4</b>, the release of locking is easily performed by operating the handle extension <b>11</b> even when it is difficult to hold the operation lever <b>9</b> (or handle <b>10</b>). Thus, the package <b>1</b> can be taken out from the cage <b>2</b>.

The spring <b>18</b> is provided between the handle <b>10</b> and handle extension <b>11</b> such that it energizes the handle extension <b>11</b> to be folded. It keeps folding the handle extension <b>11</b> when the operation lever <b>9</b> is not operated. Thus, the handle extension <b>11</b> thus folded does not disturb the other operation.

The handle <b>10</b> is provided at free end of operation lever <b>9</b> rotatably attached to the package body <b>3</b> and the handle extension <b>11</b> is rotatably attached to the handle <b>10</b>. Therefore, the handle extension <b>11</b> can be easily folded.

Although in this embodiment the handle extension <b>11</b> is of a wire-like metallic member, it is not limited to that material. For example, the handle extension <b>11</b> may be a cable such as chain and cord. The handle extension <b>11</b> may be of the other material, such as resin, than metal if a sufficient strength can be secured.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a partial perspective view showing a package <b>50</b> with lock mechanism in the second preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the package <b>50</b> is provided with a return mechanism <b>52</b> to automatically fold an operation lever <b>51</b>. Like components are indicated same numerals used in the first embodiment and explanations thereof are omitted below.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 18 and 19</figref>, the return mechanism <b>52</b> is composed of: a spring <b>53</b> that is provided between a package body <b>59</b> and the operation lever <b>51</b> to energize the operation lever <b>51</b> to rotate in the direction of package body <b>59</b>; and an engaging portion <b>54</b> that is formed on the package body <b>59</b> to retain the operation lever <b>51</b> in state of being folded. The operation lever <b>51</b> has the same function as the operation lever <b>9</b> and is folded along a front-end face <b>55</b> of the package body <b>59</b> in state of being raised up and is extended in front of the package body <b>59</b> when the rotation front end is moved forward.

The spring <b>53</b> is a coil spring wounded around a shaft <b>56</b> of the operation lever <b>51</b>, and its one end is attached to the package body <b>59</b> and the other end is attached to the operation lever <b>51</b>. The spring <b>53</b> has such a minimum springy force that allows the operation lever <b>51</b> to be easily rotated with finger.

The engaging portion <b>54</b> is a projection formed on the package body <b>59</b>. It allows the rotation of operation lever <b>51</b> while contacting the operation lever <b>51</b> when the operation lever <b>51</b> is rotated. The operation lever <b>51</b> is provided with an engaged portion <b>57</b> to well engage to the engaging portion <b>54</b>. The engaged portion <b>57</b> is formed projecting outside of an handle <b>58</b> bridged between the arms <b>15</b> of operation lever <b>51</b>, and it restricts the rotation of operation lever <b>51</b> by contacting the engaging portion <b>54</b> when the operation lever <b>51</b> is in state of raised up and folded on the package body <b>59</b>.

The functions of package <b>50</b> in this embodiment will be described below.

By pulling the operation lever <b>51</b> forward, the operation lever <b>51</b> starts rotating while allowing the engaged portion <b>57</b> to climb over the engaging portion <b>54</b>. At that time, the operation lever <b>51</b> is subjected to a pull force from the spring <b>53</b> but the pull force does not disturb the operation of operation lever <b>51</b> since the springy force of spring <b>53</b> is set sufficiently weakly. Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, by rotating the operation lever <b>51</b> until the rotation is restricted by the restriction member <b>17</b> and then pulling the operation lever <b>51</b> forward, the package <b>50</b> can be taken out from the cage (not shown).

In case of loading the package <b>50</b> into the cage, the package <b>50</b> is inserted into the cage while keeping the operation lever <b>51</b> folded. During this process, the operation lever <b>51</b> is restricted by the engaging portion <b>54</b> in its rotation direction as well as being energized by the spring <b>53</b> in the raised-up direction. Therefore, it does not fall forward in that process. Thus, the loading operation can be stably performed.

Since the spring <b>53</b> is provided between the package body <b>59</b> and operation lever <b>51</b> to energize the operation lever <b>51</b> to rotate to the package body <b>59</b> side, the operation lever <b>51</b> can be stably kept folded on the package body <b>59</b>. Thus, the sudden falling of operation lever <b>51</b> and a disturbance in operation caused thereby can be prevented.

Further, since the engaging portion <b>54</b> is provided on the package body <b>59</b> to retain the operation lever <b>51</b> in state of being folded, the operation lever <b>51</b> can be more stably kept folded. Thereby, the springy force of spring <b>53</b> can be set sufficiently weakly. Therefore, the spring <b>53</b> does not damage easiness in rotating the operation lever <b>51</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a perspective view showing a package <b>60</b> with lock mechanism in the third preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the package <b>60</b> is provided with an unfolding mechanism <b>62</b> to unfold an operation lever <b>61</b> by fingertip operation. Like components are indicated same numerals used in the first embodiment and explanations thereof are omitted below.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 21 and 22</figref>, the unfolding mechanism <b>62</b> is composed of: a spring <b>64</b> that is provided between a package body <b>63</b> and the operation lever <b>61</b> to energize the operation lever <b>61</b> to rotate in the unfolded direction; and a retention mechanism <b>65</b> that is attached to the package body <b>63</b> to retain the operation lever <b>61</b> against the springy force of spring <b>64</b>.

The spring <b>64</b> is a coil spring wounded around a shaft <b>56</b> of the operation lever <b>61</b>, and its one end is attached to the package body <b>63</b> and the other end is attached to the operation lever <b>61</b>. The spring <b>64</b> has such a minimum springy force that allows the operation lever <b>61</b> to be easily rotated with finger.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>, the retention mechanism <b>65</b> includes a projecting member <b>67</b> that is attached to the package body <b>63</b> flexibly in the vertical. For example, the projecting member <b>67</b> is composed of a tongue member <b>68</b> formed on the top front-end of package body <b>63</b> and a first projection <b>69</b> that is formed on the tongue member <b>68</b>.

The tongue member <b>68</b> is provided between slits formed in parallel extending backward from the front end of package body <b>63</b> and has its free end projecting forward from the package body <b>63</b>. The tongue member <b>68</b> can be bent downward by pressing down a press button <b>70</b> formed at the front end of tongue member <b>68</b>.

The first projection <b>69</b> is formed longitudinally in the middle of tongue member <b>68</b> and can be moved downward to depart from the operation lever <b>61</b> by bending the tongue member <b>68</b> downward. Further, the operation lever <b>61</b> is provided with a second projection <b>71</b> to well engage to the first projection <b>69</b>. The second projection <b>71</b> is formed projecting outside of an handle <b>72</b> bridged between the arms <b>15</b> of operation lever <b>61</b>, and it restricts the rotation of operation lever <b>61</b> by contacting the first projection <b>69</b> when the operation lever <b>61</b> is in state of raised up and folded on the package body <b>63</b>.

The functions of package <b>60</b> in this embodiment will be described below.

In case of extracting the package <b>60</b> from the cage (not shown), the press button <b>70</b> is pressed down. As the tongue member <b>68</b> is bent downward, the first projection <b>69</b> moves downward. Thereby, the first projection <b>69</b> departs from the second projection <b>71</b> and the operation lever <b>61</b> rotates forward by the springy force of spring <b>64</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 24</figref>, <b>25</b> and <b>26</b>, when the drive nail <b>16</b> contacts the first contact portion <b>13</b> of slide member <b>8</b>, the operation lever <b>61</b> stops rotating. Then, by pressing down the operation lever <b>61</b>, the slide member <b>8</b> can be slid forward to release the locking.

In case of loading the package <b>60</b> into the cage, the package <b>60</b> is inserted into the cage while keeping the operation lever <b>61</b> folded. During this process, the operation lever <b>61</b> is restricted by the first projection <b>69</b> in its rotation direction. Therefore, it does not fall forward in that process. Thus, the loading operation can be stably performed.

Since the spring <b>64</b> is provided between the package body <b>63</b> and the operation lever <b>61</b> to energize the operation lever <b>61</b> to rotate in the unfolded direction and the retention mechanism <b>65</b> in attached to the package body <b>63</b> to retain the operation lever <b>61</b> against the springy force of spring <b>64</b>, the operation lever <b>61</b> can be easily felt forward by releasing the operation lever <b>61</b> from the retention mechanism <b>65</b>. Thus, the package <b>60</b> can be taken out of the cage.

Further, since the retention mechanism <b>65</b> includes the projecting member <b>67</b> that is attached to the package body <b>63</b> flexibly in the vertical direction, the operation lever <b>61</b> can be easily released from the retention mechanism <b>65</b>.

Although in this embodiment the press button <b>70</b> is formed at the front end of tongue member <b>68</b> and the tongue member <b>68</b> is bent downward by pressing down the press button <b>70</b>, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 27 and 28</figref>, in an alternative retention mechanism <b>83</b>, a press button <b>82</b> may be formed at the front end of a tongue member <b>80</b> while bending downward the front portion <b>81</b> of tongue member <b>80</b>. In this case, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref>, by pressing backward the press button <b>82</b>, the tongue member <b>80</b> can be bent downward. Thus, the operation lever <b>61</b> can be easily released from the retention mechanism <b>83</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref> is a perspective view showing a package <b>20</b> with lock mechanism in the fourth preferred embodiment of the invention in state of being loaded into a cage <b>21</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 34 and 35</figref>, the cage <b>21</b> has a vertically penetrating engagement hole <b>23</b> on its bottom <b>22</b>. The package body <b>24</b> of package <b>20</b> has a retractable locking portion <b>25</b> projecting downward to be fitted into the engagement hole <b>23</b> to lock the package <b>20</b>. The locking portion <b>25</b> is provided on one end (free end) of a leaf spring <b>26</b>, the other end of which is attached to the bottom of package body <b>24</b>, and can be retracted inside the package body <b>24</b> when the leaf spring <b>26</b> is bent. A projection <b>28</b> is provided in the middle of leaf spring <b>26</b> such that it allows the leaf spring <b>26</b> to bend inside the package body <b>24</b> when it gets on a release member <b>27</b>, described below.

The release member <b>27</b> has a through hole <b>29</b> to receive the locking portion <b>25</b> and projection <b>28</b> and a slide restriction hole <b>31</b> to receive a stopper <b>30</b> formed on the front side of package body <b>24</b> to restrict the slide range of release member <b>27</b>. The release member <b>27</b> is slidably in its longitudinal direction (in the slide direction of package <b>20</b>) attached on the bottom of package body <b>24</b>. The release member <b>27</b> is, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref>, in state of being loaded (inserted) in the package body <b>24</b> while allowing the locking portion <b>25</b> to protrude through the through hole <b>29</b> and to be inserted into the engagement hole <b>23</b>, and it is, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref>, in state of being extracted from the package body <b>24</b> while, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref>, allowing the projection <b>28</b> to get on its plate portion other than the through hole <b>29</b> and allowing the locking portion <b>25</b> to be retracted inside the package body <b>24</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 30 and 35</figref>, a handle <b>32</b> is provided on the front end of release member <b>27</b>. A handle extension <b>33</b> to extend the handle <b>32</b> is attached to the handle <b>32</b> rotatably around the axis of handle <b>32</b> to bridge a pair of release members <b>27</b>.

The handle extension <b>33</b> has a shape of rectangular frame such that it lies along the front-end circumference of package body <b>24</b> while being raised up along the front-end of package body <b>24</b> and extended upward from the handle <b>32</b> when the release member <b>27</b> is loaded in the package body <b>24</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref>, a spring <b>34</b> is provided between the handle <b>32</b> and handle extension <b>33</b> such that it energizes the handle extension <b>33</b> to be folded. For example, the spring <b>34</b> is of a coil spring wounded around the handle extension <b>33</b>, and its one end is attached to the handle <b>32</b> and the other end is attached to the handle extension <b>33</b>. The spring <b>34</b> has such a minimum springy force that is required to fold the handle extension <b>33</b>.

The functions of package <b>20</b> in this embodiment will be described below.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref>, easier one of the handle <b>32</b> and handle extension <b>33</b> to hold with finger is pulled forward when extracting the package <b>20</b> being locked by the cage <b>21</b> from the cage <b>21</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref>, in pulling the handle extension <b>33</b>, the handle extension <b>33</b> is rotated forward around the handle <b>32</b> of release member <b>27</b> until being nearly horizontally extended. Since the rotation resistance of handle extension <b>33</b> is only the weak spring <b>34</b> and the handle extension <b>33</b> has a sufficiently reduced weight, the handle extension <b>33</b> is easy to draw.

After the handle extension <b>33</b> is extended forward, nothing interferes with the operation of handle extension <b>33</b>. Then, the handle extension <b>33</b> is held further securely with finger.

Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 23 and 35</figref>, when the handle extension <b>33</b> is further pulled, the release member <b>27</b> is drawn forward from the inside of package body <b>24</b> and the projection <b>28</b> gets on the release member <b>27</b>. Thereby, the leaf spring <b>26</b> is bent turning its free end upward while allowing the locking portion <b>25</b> to be retracted inside the package body <b>24</b>. Thus, the locking of cage <b>21</b> and package <b>20</b> is released.

Then, when the handle extension <b>33</b> is further pulled, the release member <b>27</b> contacts the stopper <b>30</b> and is thereby made to stop the slide along the package body <b>24</b> and to draw the package body <b>24</b> forward. Since the locking of package body <b>24</b> to cage <b>21</b> is now released, the package body <b>24</b> can be easily taken out of the cage <b>21</b> as shown in FIG. <b>33</b>.

On the other hand, in case of pulling directly the handle <b>32</b> of release member <b>27</b>, the handle extension <b>33</b> is kept in its raised-up position even when it departs from the package body <b>24</b> and, therefore, it does not interfere with that operation.

Further, since the handle extension <b>33</b> is provided extending the handle <b>32</b> of release member <b>27</b>, the release of locking is easily performed by operating the handle extension <b>33</b> even when it is difficult to hold the handle <b>32</b>. Thus, the package <b>20</b> can be taken out from the cage <b>21</b>.

The handle <b>32</b> is provided at the front end of the release member <b>27</b> slidably in the extraction/insertion direction attached to the package body <b>24</b> and the handle extension <b>33</b> is rotatably attached to the handle <b>32</b>. Therefore, the handle extension <b>33</b> can be easily folded along the package body <b>24</b>.

The spring <b>34</b> is provided between the handle <b>32</b> and handle extension <b>33</b> such that it energizes the handle extension <b>33</b> to be folded. It keeps folding the handle extension <b>33</b> when the handle extension <b>33</b> is not operated. Thus, the handle extension <b>33</b> thus folded does not disturb the other operation.

Although the invention has been described with respect to the specific embodiments for complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.